I have sometimes thought, that vicious examples have the same effect upon the soul, at least the affections of it, that deformed bodies have at the first view of them; they excite an unpleasant painful idea, but, by customary and familiar converse, the disagreeable sensation ceases, and we become quite easy, and reconciled to them: thus vice, in the first appearance affects a tender innocent mind with horror and dread; but being hardened by custom, and habit, the painful impression gradually wears off, and it becomes more easy, and perhaps agreeable; and then the next step is to embrace it.

I would not have it understood as if I thought you would chuse to frequent the company of men of apparent dissolute lives and practices, who are not afraid to glory in their shame; but I would caution against associating with the more hidden and secret foes of Christianity (such young men as outwardly profess the blessed truth, but hold it in an unrighteous conversation, at clubs, and night-revels, fre-. quenting places of public diversion, invented by the imagination of sinful men, some of whom, we have reason to fear, deny or at least call in question, the sacred truths of the Christian religion); from such men, though they

may call themselves brethren, I counsel you to turn away; and, as virtue and piety, as well as vice and folly, are communicated by example, I desire you will take every suitable opportunity of having the company of solidly religious persons of our own society.

But as it is not sufficient, that we only observe the negative part of our duty, in abstaining from evil, if we desire to be perfect, we must learn to do well. Though the man is blessed who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, yet he is not fully so, till he is found delighting in the law of the Lord after the inner man; meditating therein day and night, observing to do according to all that is written therein.

Then these blessed effects will follow, that he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which bringeth forth its fruit in due season. And, if this holy exercise of mind is continued, he shall receive of the sap and nourishment from the Fountain of Life, so that his leaf shall not wither, and whatsoever he doth shall prosper: "The steps of a good "man are ordered of the Lord; the law of "his God is in his heart, none of his goings "shall slide :" in order therefore to the per

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formance of our duty, it is necessary we should acquaint ourselves with God, and seek to know his will concerning us, by believing in, and adhering to the good principle we profess, of the light of Christ in our consciences; it is this alone can give us the saving knowledge of God; and as we are obedient to its teachings, we shall not only deny ungodliness, but by living a godly life in all holy conversation, manifest we are loving God above all things, and our neighbour as ourselves.-And if the delight and joy proceeding from love to God, and an evidence of his love to us, be the only true and real happiness of mankind, it necessarily follows, that the sooner we are come to the possession of this inestimable blessing, the happier it will be for us! I am one, who have to lament, that I forsook my own mercies, in that I did not remember my Creator in the days of my youth; that I neglected to acquaint myself with God in my younger years, knowing that an early sacrifice, and devotion of heart is acceptable to him: I have considcred how many years I lost in unprofitable pursuits, delighting in things I am now ashamed of; many precious moments I might have enjoyed had I been so wise as to have enquir ed wherein true happiness consisted: I have

never heard of any who thought they had sought God too soon; but many mourn, that they knew him too late.

But to return to what chiefly affected my mind, and has drawn from me these cautions, viz. the consideration of the temptations persons are exposed to, in the time of youth, (though in no part of our lives we can be said to be in a state of security free from the attempts of the enemy of souls, and therefore a state of watchfulness is necessary to all ages and conditions) it appears to me, that there is more than ordinary occasion for circumspection when men are beset with enemies from all quarters, as is eminently the case in this great city things, men, and books, as it were, lie in wait to deceive, and cheat people of true happiness: with regard to books, if a vain curiosity should be indulged in reading many publications of the present time, whose chief tendency is to promote an undue liberty from the restraints of religion; the knowledge acquired by such reading is evil, and will, by the unsound principles and erroneous doctrine, of one sort, and the profanity, and licentiousness of the other, bring death to the soul; as they will prevent the true knowledge of God from taking place in

the heart, and hinder the growth of the seed of immortal life, by which the soul is raised from earthly to divine and heavenly objects.

I write from a degree of my own experience of the hurt received by means of such writings, and am the more earnest with you, as you value your peace, to avoid the perusal of them, as they can administer no real benefit, but on the contrary certain evil.

Having thus enlarged my letter, beyond expectation, I shall only add, that as you profess no less than the blessed truth, as it is in Jesus, may you, by its divine assistance, and obedience to its holy dictates be made and kept perfectly free from the entanglements of a vain and sinful world, and be enabled to hold fast the profession of your faith in a good conscience without wavering; keep near to the testimony of Jesus, the sure word of prophecy in your hearts; whereby you will be able to resist and quench all the fiery darts of satan, and his agents.

To God I recommend you, and the word of his grace, which is able to strengthen and build you up in the most holy faith, and re. main your sincere friend.